AUSTIN, Minn. — Dairy and poultry farmers in three southeast Minnesota counties can get free seasonal flu shots on their farm, thanks to a new public health initiative to eliminate vaccination barriers.

The initiative is made possible by a $5 million plan announced this summer by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide seasonal flu shots this fall to about 200,000 livestock workers in the states hardest hit by the outbreak. bird flu.

Poultry and dairy farmers are at greatest risk of simultaneous exposure to seasonal influenza and H5N1. In its Nov. 1 update on confirmed human cases of H5N1 so far this year, the CDC listed 41 cases in six states.

Last month, Mower County’s Health & Human Services mailed information to area dairy and poultry workers about its flu vaccination efforts with the Fairviews Minnesota Immunization Networking Initiative.

“Reducing the barriers for people wanting the vaccine is what this is all about,” said Pam Kellogg, public health manager for Mower County Health and Human Services.

Farms with too many employees to transport, or can’t get away from the production schedule, can work with the county’s community health team to bring the vaccination service to them.

Darr Ehmke, a nurse with Mower County Health and Human Services, said no farms have yet accepted the offer. But as we head into flu season, he said there’s still plenty of time to take advantage of that opportunity.

“We’d like to get them out before the end of the month,” Ehmke said on Nov. 5. “But we really don’t have a hard timeline right now.”

Two good reasons for farm operators to offer the vaccines to employees is that it’s free and it protects themselves and their operations, Ehmke said. Another good reason is the reason for the federal investment in vaccinating livestock workers because of concerns about the high severity of the H5N1 bird flu virus.

“H5N1 has been found in dairy and poultry farms, not specifically in Mower County, but there is a risk there, so we want to reduce the risk,” Ehmke said. “And then, people have to work, so we want to keep people working.”

Ehmke said the seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against H5N1. But, he said, for someone who gets seasonal flu and then happens to get H5N1, the result could be dangerous for them and the community.

According to the CDC, a worrisome scenario could arise if a new flu virus emerges through “reassortment,” which is when viruses change genetic material when they infect the same cell, potentially creating a new and more serious virus with features from both parent viruses. Combining the mild transmission of a typical seasonal flu with the high severity of H5N1 could lead to a “major public health crisis,” according to the CDC.

Farm operators who might be concerned about their employees’ privacy during a free flu shot clinic on their farm shouldn’t be, Ehmke said.

“Workers just have to sign the consent,” he said. “We do not collect any information from them. We only ask them to sign the consent to vaccinate and that’s all.”

For farm owners who may have other concerns, Ehmke said they should reach out directly even if they aren’t interested in vaccinating their employees.

“I would just encourage if they’re curious or if they can give us any feedback, we’d appreciate it,” Ehmke said. “We just want people to have access to vaccination and we know farmers are busy. It’s quite difficult to get people to come and get vaccinated.”

Those interested should contact Ehmke or Allison Scott of Mower County Health and Human Services by email at [email protected] and [email protected] or call 507-437-9700 .

Free flu shots for ranchers are also offered in Steele County and Wabasha County. Contact the respective departments for more information: Wabasha County – 651-565-5200 and Steele County – 507-444-7650.